Kryptonian Council
Kryptonian Council
The Staff of the Superman Homepage Speak Out
[Date: June 2005]Hey, folks! Welcome to the Kryptonian Council! This is a free-form discussion where I and members of the Superman Homepage writing teams will be talking freely about issues that affect the site and Superman in general. It's a little like Radio KAL, only it's more free-form. You'll find typos, off the cuff remarks. It's the website at its rawest, and it's supposed to be that way. Everything with a grain of salt, and humor above all else, all the while confronting the issues of concern to a Superman fan. It's a way to extend the idea behind Radio KAL to multiple people, withough having a bunch of people talking over each other, and we hope to make it a monthly fixture here at the Superman Homepage, or at least a fixture for every time something major happens in the Superman world.
This month we took on the idea that many have suggested that the Superman Homepage is anti-Smallville. If you have suggestions for future topics, please send them in to either Steve Younis or Neal Bailey. Enjoy!
| Steve: | Welcome to the Kryptonian Council. I'm Steve Younis |
| Neal: | I'm Neal Bailey |
| Barry: | Barry Freiman |
| Felix: | Felix Vasquez |
| Aaron: | Aaron Thall. And this is... 60 Minutes |
| Steve: | Heh... Nice one Aaron. Neal do you want to introduce this concept to everyone? |
| Neal: | So we, as some of the Superman Homepage staff, have convened here for the first time, mostly, what, because we wanted to give everyone an idea into the editorial direction we have, generally, and why we write some of the things we do, and maybe to let people in a little bit on the Superman Homepage and how we do what we do |
| Aaron: | And then we warp their minds. ;) |
| Felix: | So do we question one another, or just talk? |
| Steve: | Well Barry, you had a good topic you wanted to tackle... |
| Barry: | Well thanks to Neal, everybody thinks we hate Smallville :) |
| Felix: | lol |
| Steve: | Yeah, Thanks Neal!! :D |
| Aaron: | You mean we don't? |
| Barry: | and I didn't help matters any in my interview with Ms. Kidder |
| Felix: | Well I don't hate it I just don't like what it's become |
| Steve: | So, do we hate "Smallville"? |
| Neal: | My answer? No. Though others may think otherwise. |
| Felix: | I just hate that it went from mythos to supernatural "OC" |
| Aaron: | No. I just hate the terrible writng, asinine plots, and the completely bogus character development |
| Steve: | Personally, I don't. I love the show. I just think Season 4 has been a bit of a let down |
| Neal: | I love the show, I hated the 4th season |
| Barry: | I agree though I was impressed with the season finale |
| Felix: | As was I |
| Felix: | it made up for the lack of creativity in season four |
| Aaron: | Season 4 was a waste of space. Other than Chloe learning the secret, virtually nothing of importance happened |
| Steve: | Okay, so why do many people think the Superman Homepage is anti-Smallville? |
| Neal: | What happens is people read the reviews, or they see the general pessimism, and they think it's an intentional attempt to spike the show because we're press. The reality is, and I think I speak for all of us, we want the show to succeed |
| Barry: | I'm hoping little green aliens will step out of the space ship and give Lana an insect queen ring |
| Felix: | I don't think we're anti-smallville |
| Aaron: | Neal's weekly hunts for Lana's scalp. |
| Felix: | we just don't take everything thats fed to us |
| Steve: | No, but many do Felix... |
| Neal: | I think I have a big part in that. I gave more negative reviews than positive this year. For the first time, I might add... |
| Felix: | Some people just accept it as is, but others see its lack of originality and creativity |
| Neal: | I don't think it's just Lana, myself |
| Felix: | Well a lot of the episodes were terrible |
| Aaron: | The entire show's been going downhill for a while. |
| Felix: | I agreed with much of what you wrote this year Neal |
| Aaron: | Season 3 was insulting. |
| Aaron: | Look, they got rid of the only blatant minority. |
| Neal: | A lot of it, I hear there were budget cuts, there was an intentional drive for nudity, and new management. It might not even be the creator's fault |
| Felix: | There's just too much exploitation |
| Aaron: | Now they're as white as EVERY OTHER WB SHOW |
| Felix: | Too much obligatory chest and butt shots at one point |
| Felix: | if I wanted to watch the OC I would but I came to watch Smallville |
| Barry: | I think there's a difference between appreciating Superman stuff whether it's a TV show, movie, cartoon, comic and having to review it or view it critically which is something we all do |
| Felix: | If I'm going to invest my time in this show, give me what I want |
| Neal: | Thanks, Felix. The way I look at it, I don't write so that people will totally agree, I write it so they can see what the average goon is thinking watching the show. When that doesn't synch, I get complaint letters. I do watch that. |
| Aaron: | I'd still disappointed that the archaeologist at the end of season 2 wasn't Brainiac |
| Barry: | I mean, I love "Superman IV" - but I get that it's a horrible movie objectively |
| Neal: | Sure. And heck, we may watch "Superman IV" again and again, that still doesn't change the general consensus |
| Aaron: | That also doesn't change the fact that my cassette of the fourth movie is somehow titled "The Quest for PEACH" |
| Neal: | And speaking as a person who keeps the pulse of the fans on Smallville, a lot of people are disgusted right now. That doesn't mean they hate it, after all, we're all still watching it. They just want it to be better |
| Felix: | LOL |
| Neal: | I want the power to rebuild walls with my eyes |
| Steve: | Barry, do you think Margot's criticisms were warranted, now that you've seen the resolution of Chris Reeve's character |
| Barry: | Absolutely Steve - I think it was just more of the inferior season at work |
| Aaron: | The only reason people watched this season was Lois. |
| Felix: | I get really annoyed when people question my love for Superman because I'm not liking the direction of Smallville. I can't emphasize that enough. It's insulting |
| Neal: | Reeve was a big sticking point for me. I stayed away from it this year, because I was worried I might cause problems, but I really think they were quite disrespectful to his memory in a few ways |
| Felix: | Agreed Aaron. Some guys got a liking to her and started watching |
| Neal: | First, no substantive tribute, despite the fact that in many ways he MADE what made Smallville really great. |
| Felix: | Agreed |
| Barry: | Smallville is about the journey of 3 people all of whom have a strong tie to Superman - and it wasn't about that this year |
| Felix: | the tribute here on the NY area was short, only lasted about three seconds |
| Neal: | Second, killing off the plot line entirely and pretending it didn't exist |
| Felix: | Agreed Freiman |
| Neal: | Thirdly, muddling his contribution by mixing the continuity (He's seeing him all the time, he's never seeing him) |
| Aaron: | Don't forget how they offed Kidder's character with no preamble. No respect at all for the legends. |
| Felix: | Agreed. Its all about attracting new crowds. So in turn they forget the real audience |
| Neal: | Just generally, they treated the death more as an inconvenience than a reason to celebrate the man, and when Margot didn't tow the line, down came the boom |
| Aaron: | The tribute didn't even really AIR here |
| Felix: | Mine was cut off quickly and the show started fast |
| Aaron: | All I got was the dedication at the end of the episode |
| Neal: | Agreed, Barry. They've lost the journey... the mythos |
| Barry: | Given that Margot's comments ended up in the New York Times, I assume that her final fate had something to do with what she said |
| Neal: | I mean, what's the mythos this year? Stones. Witches |
| Felix: | ugh! Don't remind me Neal |
| Aaron: | Weakness to magic. |
| Neal: | Jor-El as villain |
| Aaron: | I still think Jor-El is the Eradicator |
| Steve: | My biggest problem this season was the complete lack of disregard for continuity... especially in relation to the Kryptonite being in China before Krypton exploded |
| Neal: | Yeah. That was probably the most ridiculous thing |
| Aaron: | I really do |
| Felix: | "Spell" is possibly this series worst episode |
| Neal: | Just generally, the consistency has fallen. Lex MURDERED two people, and no questions are asked |
| Aaron: | Lana almost murdered a kid and there was no problem |
| Aaron: | But when she kills in self defense? OH NO! I MUST RUN AND NEARLY DIE! |
| Neal: | Well, let me ask you all something I've only asked myself....has the show jumped the shark (bearing in mind you guys are all HUGE Superman fans, I can verify)? |
| Aaron: | I'm not a huge fan |
| Barry: | The show jumped the shark in my opinion |
| Felix: | I think it has |
| Steve: | Neal, I don't think it has jumped the shark... I think it still entertains |
| Barry: | that isnt to say it can't jump back |
| Felix: | but it can rebound |
| Aaron: | (waves Fantastic Four banner) |
| Aaron: | It jumped the shark, a school of pirahnna, and the body of Jaques Cousteau. |
| Felix: | If the writers take the lack of budget and use it to their advantage and focus on story and characterization |
| Neal: | Steve, you ALWAYS have a more positive viewpoint than I do...most of you reading this might not know it, but he's the guy who directs me, guides me, and at times tells me what I shouldn't do. And though that usually bristles me with most folks, Steve is usually right. Heck. He's always right |
| Aaron: | He said, knowing that the Master was watching... |
| Neal: | He's the objective guy in this room. And he's also positive. That's why he makes the good editor. |
| Steve: | You're too kind Neal... I'm just a bit less likely to stir the pot than you are. |
| Barry: | If Clark doesn't get a fortress of solitude in the season opener, then it won't have jumped back |
| Felix: | If they could think for a second, they could use this budget cut as a positive. Use the lack of effects for stories that make sense. |
| Neal: | Well, yeah, there's that, but me and Steve are actually really good friends. It's better that way, because when he has to cut something, it's not out of profit or concerns for readers, but more for common sense. He's my conscience. |
| Steve: | Profit? :) LOL |
| Felix: | lol |
| Neal: | Well, okay. bad term |
| Felix: | Even I didn't believe that Neal |
| Neal: | I mean you're not doing things here for yourself and glory |
| Steve: | I know ;) |
| Felix: | I am! LOL |
| Aaron: | To... cheesy... ALLERGIC REACTION! |
| Felix: | Justing joking |
| Neal: | I find myself in a weird position, actually. There is that urge to tow the line |
| Felix: | Please don't, because then you're just giving in to mob rules |
| Aaron: | But mobs DO rule |
| Neal: | If a BOZILLION people love Smallville, and I can maintain that with reviews, I get readers. It's hard to swallow, sometimes, that my honest opinion is what it is, even if it drives readers off. |
| Felix: | Not with an individual mind |
| Neal: | But I like to think that said honesty is what builds a better readership |
| Felix: | People complain you suck, but then they keep reading |
| Steve: | Okay... so we're not anti-Smallville, we're just a fickle bunch of fans who want what's best for the show. |
| Neal: | Yeah. |
| Barry: | Nonetheless as writers we need to deal with criticism, brush off what doesn't work for us but use critiques to find a way to improve as writers |
| Neal: | Train wreck theory. I love getting letters that say, "You're horrible! And here's how, from 87 of your reviews, in sequence!" |
| Neal: | True, Barry. I think a lot of people miss that when I dwell, it's usually less to paste home the point, and more to entertain or be humorous. I find irony and inconsistency entertaining, as do many others |
| Aaron: | I think they need to, believe it or not, deemphasize Clark occasionally. To let the other characters breathe and have room to grow |
| Felix: | LOL. I think they need more on Clark. Lana is too focused on. She's become central when she should be supporting |
| Aaron: | I'd almost kill to see an episode where Clark NEVER SHOWS UP. |
| Neal: | Like the issue where he never changes into Superman |
| Steve: | Well I think we've just proven a point... It's impossible to please everyone |
| Felix: | Exactly |
| Aaron: | You have Jor-El. You have that archaeologist that's practically Brainiac, and you have Chloe knowing the secret. Let HER play hero |
| Felix: | Why Tarantino won't do a comic movie |
| Neal: | But see, that requires innovative storytelling, and people like to watch what they KNOW. |
| Barry: | I write a bad review of JLU - like the review for this week's episode - and nobody accuses the site of being anti-JLU |
| Neal: | That's the whole problem right now. A TV audience, which is less discerning, meeting the book readers/comic geeks, who are TOO discerning |
| Steve: | Good point Neal |
| Neal: | And the mutant hybrids that drive the market, like me. ;) |
| Felix: | But they care more about the TV audience as was shown in season four |
| Aaron: | And then there's us, the borderline schizos |
| Felix: | My ears are burning |
| Barry: | Very good point Neal |
| Neal: | Well, actually, what I see is that for a few seasons it was more about a good story, and now it's become about the bottom line, even if there's some good stories thrown in |
| Steve: | Okay, so any final thoughts on this topic? |
| Neal: | My final thought: I just want to let everyone know that I love the show and I want the best for it. If I hated it, why would I review it? Why write 300 pages? I could stop tomorrow, you know? |
| Felix: | Don't joke like that |
| Aaron: | I think they need to focus less on the extraneous garbage like Isobel and start SHOWING how Clark comes to the decision to be a hero |
| Felix: | Agreed |
| Neal: | That show means the world to me |
| Barry: | I hope for the best for the show going into season 5 - I do think this is the last season coming up. No matter how it does in ratings |
| Aaron: | Probably |
| Steve: | From an official stand point: The Superman Homepage is NOT anti-Smallville. We're so pro-Smallville that we're not willing to accept bad episodes. |
| Felix: | I hope the show goes on for a long time |
| Neal: | Next year they say they "Rocket" towards their respective destinies. If they don't force it in three episodes, who knows? It could work itself out |
| Felix: | Just give us what we want |
| Aaron: | We don't want the writers talking down to us |
| Barry: | My theory is there's a certain synchronicity in ending the show in May with the movie opening a month later |
| Neal: | And though I like the cleavage, I don't think cleavage a good story makes. ;) |
| Felix: | Agreed |
| Aaron: | Unless it's Krypto mutant cleavage |
| Felix: | ooh |
| Neal: | You know, I heard that they were considering cancelling this year. But the movie stopped that |
| Barry: | But that also requires WB to have communication between the TV and Movie departments and they don't |
| Neal: | And that they cut 100K from every episode next year |
| Barry: | Though Bryan Singer did meet with Gough and Millar |
| Felix: | They won't cancel it probably until after the movie |
| Aaron: | So they have a budget of... three rubber bands and a piece of lint? |
| Neal: | That's "allegedly", because I don't have sources for that, but nonetheless, there are good signs and bad signs |
| Steve: | Okay, well this has been the first of what we're aiming to be monthly "Kryptonian Council" meetings. We hope you've enjoyed reading a random discussion conducted by a group of the Superman Homepage staff. |
| Felix: | See now this was fun |
| Steve: | Thanks guys! |
| Felix: | I feel like a part of the family |
| Neal: | Yeah, thanks for reading, all! Hope this has been somewhat insightful, at least. :) |
| Barry: | This wasn't too painful. LOL |
| Neal: | That's the idea...Superman Family. Heh. |
| Felix: | Read my krypto reviews!! |
| Aaron: | Read the novel reviews. |
| Neal: | Heck, just read the whole site! |
| Neal: | Later, everyone! |
| Felix: | bye |
| Steve: | Thanks! We'll catch you next time |
Kryptonian Council Meetings
- June 2005 - Is the Superman Homepage anti-Smallville?
- October 2005 - Infinite Crisis #1
- November 2005 - Infinite Crisis #2
- January 2006 - Infinite Crisis #3
- January 2006 - Infinite Crisis #4
- March 2006 - Infinite Crisis #5
- March 2006 - Infinite Crisis: Secret Files & Origins 2006
- April 2006 - Infinite Crisis #6
- May 2006 - Infinite Crisis #7
- May 2006 - Superman Returns Theatrical Trailer
- May 2007 - Discussing “52”
